Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2024 looks to the future of Jazz and beyond

With a programme that emphasised the value of inspiring cross-generational collaboration, Cheltenham Jazz Festival was abuzz with an electric celebration of jazz, blues, soul and pop.

Across six packed days, over 40,000 music fans flocked to its Festival Village, affirming Cheltenham's position as one of Europe’s leading jazz festivals.

Images by Still Moving Media - Dionne Warwick, Jack Savoretti, Dee Dee Bridgewater.

2024’s line-up marked an exciting era for the Festival. The programme honoured the legendary legacies of icons including Grammy-Award winner Dionne Warwick, American soul singer Bettye LaVette, Led Zeppelin icon Robert Plant, and renowned jazz pianist Brad Mehldau while also looking forward to the next generations of stars. Nubiyan Twist brought an infectious big band sound to Cheltenham Town Hall alongside veterans Orchestra Baobab; former student of legendary jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd, Theo Croker, took to the stage; and in a special showcase double bill, up-and-coming star Amahla made a soulful nod to jazz greats while Ruta Di blended neo-soul and Brazilian music.

From Brad Mehldau riffing with Birmingham Conservatoire students in the Festivals’ late night jam sessions, to rising star Lucy-Anne Daniels playing host to over 1,400 Gloucestershire school children as part of the Festivals’ Jazz Concert for Schools, Cheltenham Jazz Festival is paving the way for the music makers of tomorrow – fostering creative exchanges that enrich both seasoned professionals and aspiring musicians alike.

Image of performances at the Jazz Festival by Mikal Ludlow Photography.

The Festival's well-regarded PAC programming strand brought together the Southbank Centre's Alexandria Carr with long-term Cheltenham advisor Tony Dudley-Evans to curate a programme that spotlighted the dynamic future of the British scene. Their partnership was echoed in the cross-generational collaboration between Dave Douglas and Trish Clowes’, EYES UP, which paid tribute to the late Wayne Shorter; while the likes of Sultan Stevenson, un.procedure plus and Julien Durand’s DREAMSCAPES offered the Parabola Arts Centre a vision of the latest sounds in jazz.

In the Festival’s famed Big Top main stage, Sophie Ellis-Bextor brought the house down with disco delights, emphasising Cheltenham’s characteristically broad definitions of jazz and its influence, while Gregory Porter ended the Festival with a stellar sold-out performance.

Jazz also spilled into the Festival town itself, as people enjoyed music on the Festival Village Free Stage as well as in over 50 pubs, bars and clubs across the town as part of Cheltenham Festivals’ ...around town programme supported by Cheltenham BID, giving voice to local artists. Hundreds of people gathered onsite across the May Bank Holiday weekend, with tickets donated via local charity partnerships to marginalised communities and those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend.

Image of performances around the town by Mikal Ludlow Photography.

In further evidence of the Festival’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of UK live events, music leaders and industry experts gathered in one space as part of the first Access to Music conference to address the challenges faced by disabled individuals in music and live events. Panels and keynotes on the topic were followed by a performance from Beatblocks’ Haptic Dancefloor.

Ian George, Head of Jazz Programming and Co-CEO, said: "Every year we’re overwhelmed by the support from our audiences, artists, friends and supporters who all help bring our Festival Village to life.

"It was amazing to see so many people enjoying all that the Cheltenham Jazz Festival has to offer. From pop legends and soul icons to late night jams and sonic sounds, the Festival continues to build on and celebrate the breadth and depth of jazz music, its history and future – and works to ensure it all reaches the widest possible audience. As Cheltenham Festivals turns 80 next year, we’re already looking ahead to plans for 2025 – see you there!" 

Image of crowds and performances by Mikal Ludlow Photography.

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For more unmissable festivals in Cheltenham check out - Cheltenham Festivals & Major Events Guide